The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States of America. It was adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, and ratified by the states between 1778 and 1781. The Articles of Confederation established a loose confederation of sovereign states, with a weak central government. The Articles of Confederation were replaced by the United States Constitution in 1789.
The Articles of Confederation were written by a committee of the Continental Congress, which was appointed on June 11, 1776. The committee was chaired by John Dickinson of Delaware, and its other members included Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert Livingston of New York. The committee was tasked with drafting a plan of government for the new nation.
The committee worked for several months on the draft of the Articles of Confederation. They were influenced by a variety of sources, including the British constitution, the state constitutions, and the writings of political philosophers such as John Locke and Montesquieu. The committee also took into account the experiences of the Continental Army, which had been struggling to fight the British during the American Revolutionary War.
who wrote the articles of confederation
The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States.
- John Dickinson
- Benjamin Franklin
- Samuel Adams
- Roger Sherman
- Robert Livingston
- Committee of Congress
- Continental Congress
The Articles of Confederation were ratified by the states between 1778 and 1781.
John Dickinson
John Dickinson was a prominent American Founding Father who played a leading role in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. He was born in Maryland in 1732 and studied law in England. He returned to America in 1757 and quickly became involved in politics. He served in the Delaware legislature and the Continental Congress.
Dickinson was a moderate who believed that the colonies should remain loyal to Great Britain. He opposed the Declaration of Independence, but he eventually signed it. He also served on the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation. Dickinson was the primary author of the Articles of Confederation. He drew on his knowledge of history and law to create a document that would establish a loose confederation of states, with a weak central government.
Dickinson's goal was to create a government that would be strong enough to defend the colonies from foreign threats, but weak enough to protect the rights of the states. He believed that the Articles of Confederation would achieve this balance. The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777 and ratified by the states between 1778 and 1781.
Dickinson continued to serve in the Continental Congress and the Confederation Congress. He also served as the first President of Delaware. He died in 1808.
John Dickinson was a complex and fascinating figure. He was a brilliant lawyer, a gifted writer, and a skilled politician. He was also a man of great integrity and principle. He was a true American patriot who dedicated his life to serving his country.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was another prominent American Founding Father who played a leading role in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. He was born in Boston in 1706 and became a successful printer, scientist, and inventor. He also served in the Pennsylvania legislature and the Continental Congress.
- Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Franklin was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a member of the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation.
- Advocate for a Strong Central Government
Franklin was an advocate for a strong central government. He believed that the Articles of Confederation were too weak and that they would not be able to hold the new nation together.
- Proposed the "Albany Plan of Union"
In 1754, Franklin proposed the "Albany Plan of Union." This plan called for a unified government for the colonies. The plan was not adopted, but it influenced the development of the Articles of Confederation.
- Negotiated the Treaty of Paris
Franklin was one of the negotiators of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. This treaty ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the United States.
Benjamin Franklin was a brilliant and versatile man. He was a scientist, inventor, printer, politician, and diplomat. He was also a strong advocate for American independence and unity. He played a vital role in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation and the Treaty of Paris. Franklin died in 1790.
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams was a prominent American Founding Father who played a leading role in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. He was born in Boston in 1722 and became a successful merchant and politician. He served in the Massachusetts legislature and the Continental Congress.
Adams was a strong advocate for American independence. He was one of the leaders of the Boston Tea Party and the Committee of Correspondence. He also played a key role in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
Adams was a member of the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation. He was one of the most vocal proponents of a strong central government. He believed that the Articles of Confederation were too weak and that they would not be able to hold the new nation together.
Adams continued to serve in the Continental Congress and the Confederation Congress. He also served as the first Governor of Massachusetts. He died in 1803.
Samuel Adams was a passionate and dedicated patriot. He was a gifted orator and a skilled politician. He played a vital role in the American Revolution and in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. Adams is considered to be one of the most important figures in American history.
Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman was a prominent American Founding Father who played a leading role in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. He was born in Massachusetts in 1721 and became a successful lawyer and politician. He served in the Connecticut legislature and the Continental Congress.
- Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Sherman was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a member of the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation.
- Advocate for a Strong Central Government
Sherman was an advocate for a strong central government. He believed that the Articles of Confederation were too weak and that they would not be able to hold the new nation together.
- Proposed the "Connecticut Compromise"
Sherman proposed the "Connecticut Compromise" at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. This compromise resolved the dispute between the large and small states over representation in the new government.
- Served as a U.S. Senator
Sherman served as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut from 1791 to 1793.
Roger Sherman was a brilliant and versatile man. He was a lawyer, politician, and statesman. He played a vital role in the American Revolution and in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. Sherman died in 1793.
Robert Livingston
Robert Livingston was a prominent American Founding Father who played a leading role in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. He was born in New York in 1746 and became a successful lawyer and politician. He served in the New York legislature and the Continental Congress.
- Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Livingston was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a member of the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation.
- Advocate for a Strong Central Government
Livingston was an advocate for a strong central government. He believed that the Articles of Confederation were too weak and that they would not be able to hold the new nation together.
- Negotiated the Treaty of Paris
Livingston was one of the negotiators of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. This treaty ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the United States.
- Served as the First Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Livingston served as the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation. He was responsible for conducting the foreign policy of the United States.
Robert Livingston was a brilliant and accomplished man. He was a lawyer, politician, diplomat, and statesman. He played a vital role in the American Revolution and in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. Livingston died in 1813.
Committee of Congress
The Committee of Congress was a group of men who were appointed by the Continental Congress to draft the Articles of Confederation. The committee was chaired by John Dickinson of Delaware. The other members of the committee were Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert Livingston of New York.
- Charged with Drafting the Articles of Confederation
The committee was charged with the task of drafting a plan of government for the new nation. They were instructed to create a government that would be strong enough to defend the country from foreign threats, but weak enough to protect the rights of the states.
- Influenced by a Variety of Sources
The committee was influenced by a variety of sources in their work. These sources included the British constitution, the state constitutions, and the writings of political philosophers such as John Locke and Montesquieu.
- Took into Account the Experiences of the Continental Army
The committee also took into account the experiences of the Continental Army. The army had been struggling to fight the British during the American Revolutionary War. The committee wanted to create a government that would be able to provide the army with the resources it needed to win the war.
- Drafted the Articles of Confederation
After several months of work, the committee produced a draft of the Articles of Confederation. The draft was debated by the Continental Congress and eventually adopted in 1777.
The Committee of Congress played a vital role in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. They established a loose confederation of sovereign states, with a weak central government.
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a group of delegates from the thirteen American colonies who met to coordinate their efforts during the American Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress also served as the first government of the United States.
- Appointed the Committee of Congress
The Continental Congress appointed the Committee of Congress to draft the Articles of Confederation. The committee was chaired by John Dickinson of Delaware.
- Debated and Adopted the Articles of Confederation
The Continental Congress debated the draft of the Articles of Confederation for several months. They eventually adopted the Articles of Confederation in 1777.
- Ratified the Articles of Confederation
The Continental Congress also oversaw the ratification of the Articles of Confederation by the states. The Articles of Confederation went into effect in 1781.
- Served as the Government of the United States
The Continental Congress served as the government of the United States under the Articles of Confederation. The Congress had the power to declare war, make peace, and enter into treaties.
The Continental Congress played a vital role in the drafting and ratification of the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. They established a loose confederation of sovereign states, with a weak central government.
FAQ
Who Wrote the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation were written by a committee of the Continental Congress. The committee was chaired by John Dickinson of Delaware. The other members of the committee were Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert Livingston of New York.
Question 1: What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
Answer 1: The purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to establish a plan of government for the new nation. The Articles of Confederation created a loose confederation of sovereign states, with a weak central government.
Question 2: When were the Articles of Confederation adopted?
Answer 2: The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777.
Question 3: When did the Articles of Confederation go into effect?
Answer 3: The Articles of Confederation went into effect in 1781.
Question 4: How long did the Articles of Confederation last?
Answer 4: The Articles of Confederation lasted until 1789, when they were replaced by the United States Constitution.
Question 5: Why were the Articles of Confederation replaced?
Answer 5: The Articles of Confederation were replaced because they were too weak. The Articles of Confederation created a government that was unable to effectively address the needs of the new nation.
Question 6: What are some of the key provisions of the Articles of Confederation?
Answer 6: Some of the key provisions of the Articles of Confederation include the following:
Closing Paragraph for FAQ
The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. They established a loose confederation of sovereign states, with a weak central government. The Articles of Confederation were eventually replaced by the United States Constitution in 1789.
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In addition to the information provided in the FAQ, here are some additional tips for learning more about the Articles of Confederation:
Tips
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Here are some tips for learning more about the Articles of Confederation:
Tip 1: Read the Articles of Confederation
The best way to learn about the Articles of Confederation is to read them for yourself. The Articles of Confederation are a relatively short document, and they are written in clear and concise language. You can find the Articles of Confederation online or in many libraries.
Tip 2: Learn about the historical context of the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were written during a time of great turmoil and change. The American Revolutionary War was still ongoing, and the new nation was facing many challenges. Learning about the historical context of the Articles of Confederation will help you to better understand why they were written the way they were.
Tip 3: Compare the Articles of Confederation to the United States Constitution
The Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution are two very different documents. Comparing the two documents will help you to see how the American government has changed over time. You can compare the two documents online or in many libraries.
Tip 4: Visit historical sites related to the Articles of Confederation
There are many historical sites related to the Articles of Confederation that you can visit. For example, you can visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the Articles of Confederation were signed. You can also visit the National Archives in Washington, D.C., where the Articles of Confederation are on display.
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The Articles of Confederation are an important part of American history. By following these tips, you can learn more about the Articles of Confederation and their role in the founding of the United States.
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The Articles of Confederation were a significant document in American history. They established the first government of the United States and helped to unite the states during the American Revolutionary War. However, the Articles of Confederation were eventually replaced by the United States Constitution in 1789.
Conclusion
Summary of Main Points
The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. They were written by a committee of the Continental Congress and adopted in 1777. The Articles of Confederation established a loose confederation of sovereign states, with a weak central government. The Articles of Confederation were eventually replaced by the United States Constitution in 1789.
The Articles of Confederation were a significant document in American history. They helped to unite the states during the American Revolutionary War and established the first government of the United States. However, the Articles of Confederation were too weak to effectively address the needs of the new nation. They were eventually replaced by the United States Constitution, which created a stronger central government.
Closing Message
The Articles of Confederation are a reminder of the challenges that the United States faced in its early years. The Articles of Confederation were a necessary step in the development of the United States, but they were ultimately replaced by a more perfect document: the United States Constitution.